She is adorable. I love her extensions. The landing on the throw was excellent. The unison was not there and the lifts looked a bit insecure, which is very understandable for such a new pair. How old is she? Looks like 15-16. She does not have a personality on the ice, the way Lubov did, but she could develop that, once she becomes comfortable with her new partner. IMO they expressed Kalinka quite well (my favorite music), but the black costumes looked a bit odd for that music.

Is Antipova (what's her first name) age eligible for worlds/Olympics? I am not suggesting that she should go there right now; I am just curious.

The article says that she wasn't the only Russian athlete who got sick. Pairs skater Alexei Rogonov also got sick but not as severely as Elena.

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The team doctor told me in Japan on Sunday that he believes it was some sort of infection that she had. Which sounds more logical with the fever she got. Elena was well enough to attend the banquet. She said she just started to feel better.
Strange about Alexei Rogonov, he looked fine to me and he didn't say anything about being sick. He also was at the banquet.

I like her! She's lovely and seems quite solid with her jumps - when I watched Liubov I always felt that she was somehow scared before jumps. I don't know if Antipova will be better than Ilishechkina but I thnik she and Maisuradze can be another lovely pair from Russia. and I have a feeling that she has an ability to show a great personality on the ice, just give her more time, she looks young and the partnership is quite new. such a deep field

[On what they have been doing after CoC] First week after China, we spent healing some old injuries, and then started steady preparation. We do the same old things, but try to achieve a new quality of skating. Trying to add speed, amplitude, technical skills, emotions. There is always work to do. No limit to perfection.

[On chances for podium finish] It isn't a secret that human factor plays an important, if not crucial role in judging. Everything is important - who are the judges, how they see it, if they have a positive opinion on the program... A lot depends on the athletes' shape during the competition. So I think it is not correct to look only at the scores and to judge the situation solely from mathematical point of view.

Of course, it will be very difficult in the Final. It's hard to compete with the French team - they are experienced, well-known skaters. Nathalie and Fabian are Worlds bronze medalists. And besides, they are the only ones representing France at this tournament. That means their country will fight for this team like it's the end of world. You have to take that in consideration.

[On the strengths of each team] Virtue/Moir. They have fantastic partnership, amazing chemistry on ice. Davis/White. Perform the elements at the insane speed and very high technical level. Pechalat/Bourzat. Great basic skating skills and skating amplitude. Cappellini/Lanotte. Very emotional duo. Ilinykh/Katsalapov. Good speed.

The A&M yt stopped at 3:58 but most of their major elements were already done. I like their potential. I love her extensions, and Nodari looks better too. She looks very young. Will puberty monster derail her career?

ETA: I finally got the article to translate on google chrome. The gist of it seems to be that Liza has had a bad cold for a while now and has missed a few days of training. However, because the GPF is in Sochi, sight of the Olys, they aren't even considering withdrawing.

Mishin says that if she does "very well" at the GPF, she will withdraw from Nats - last year they made a mistake in (doing so many competitions) - it doesn't really say his definition or criteria of "doing very well at GPF" (top 3?) or what the situation would be re Euros/Worlds if she was to withdraw (from Nats)

And then something or other about this being her first year to maybe go to Euros/Worlds and that therefore Nationals is important, but not vital if she wants to be there - "selection is more creative than in the US"

Liza was dominating the GP series last season as well though - but I agree that it's doubtful that she would get a WC to euros unless she places top 2

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why would it be doubtful ?
she has made the GPF again and have the best score amongst the russian ladies even at SC, in a not good form she can score good
who will she compete with that Worlds/Euros spot , Sotnikova , Leonova, Makarova ? none of those girls are known for consistency

why would it be doubtful ?
she has made the GPF again and have the best score amongst the russian ladies even at SC, in a not good form she can score good
who will she compete with that Worlds/Euros spot , Sotnikova , Leonova, Makarova ? none of those girls are known for consistency

I'd say she has the biggest chances of them all going to Worlds/Euros

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I'm just saying that I don't think the Russian Fed would give her direct entry if she just skipped Russian nats for no reason.

If Liza medals at GPF skipping nationals could be a good move. She would have the best scores and best results, plus at this point only Sotnikova and Leonova can be considered threats but with 3 spots for the team then she is pretty safe. Makarova, the Polinas and other dark horses would have to win nationals or beat both Adelina and Alena to actually be considered .

But then again, she hasnt won a national title so far and she really needs to stablish herself as Russia's #1 firmly instead of playing strategic withdrawals.

Don't know how injury-prone Tuk is, but I would think as long as she medals at GPF, there is no reason for the Rus Fed to not send her to Euros and Worlds. In fact, since she is the only age-eligible Russian lady to make GPF, and has been the most consistency out of everyone this season, I already don't see a reason not to lock her in for Euros and Worlds. Resting is important - I think the Rus Fed will be counting on her to be the highest place finisher at Euros and Worlds, so Nationals is nothing in comparison.

Given the general inconsistency of the rest of the ladies (Lip not age eligible), Nationals can be exciting. Sot usually pulls herself together by Nationals so I am not worried. I think Polina K can definitely make a run for the team, given Leonova's sloppiness this season. Makarova and Polina S will probably be non-factors again.

I think Mishin's right on. If Lisa medals, she can, and probably should, get a bye to Euros, as the top eligible Russian woman based on GP ( Julia being too young). Russian Federation decides on a World team later, anyway. If she does not medal at GPF, she'll have to fight for her spot with the rest. Of course, even giving this interview is part of Mishin's strategy. But in this case I think he has it right.